Multi-FOV MRI Coil Imaging for Brain and Spinal Cord fMRI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional MRI techniques struggle to acquire functional MRI data from the brain and spinal cord simultaneously due to magnetic field inhomogeneities and susceptibility artifacts, leading to prolonged scanning times and inadequate temporal resolution, especially when imaging large fields of view encompassing both regions.

Innovation Solution

The use of multi-band sweep imaging with Fourier transformation (MB-SWIFT) pulse sequences allows for simultaneous acquisition of MRI data from non-overlapping fields of view, such as the brain and spinal cord, by employing radial acquisition schemes that are resilient to magnetic field inhomogeneities and susceptibility artifacts, enabling high spatial and temporal resolution without the need for dedicated shimming solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If conventional MRI techniques are used to image large fields of view encompassing both brain and spinal cord, then anatomical coverage is improved, but magnetic field inhomogeneities and susceptibility artifacts worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the large field of view into multiple smaller, non-overlapping fields of view. Each smaller FOV is imaged separately using dedicated receiver coils, avoiding the magnetic field inhomogeneities and susceptibility artifacts that plague large FOV imaging while maintaining comprehensive anatomical coverage through later combination of the segmented images.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If sequential acquisitions of brain and spinal cord are performed, then magnetic field uniformity is improved for each region, but scanning time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic field uniformityVSAvoidscanning time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple imaging capabilities into a single simultaneous acquisition process. Multiple receiver coils with different fields of view acquire data from different anatomical regions (brain, spinal cord) at the same time, eliminating the need for sequential scanning while maintaining magnetic field uniformity through dedicated coils for each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If dynamic shimming solutions are applied to achieve proper magnetic field uniformity, then functional MRI capability is improved, but experimental session duration increases considerably

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional MRI capabilityVSAvoidexperimental session duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using dedicated receiver coils optimized for specific anatomical regions. Each coil is designed with appropriate sensitivity profiles and geometric configurations for its target region (e.g., head coil for brain, body coil for spinal cord), eliminating the need for time-consuming dynamic shimming adjustments while maintaining optimal magnetic field uniformity for functional imaging in each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Speed

If simultaneous imaging of multiple regions is attempted with conventional techniques, then temporal resolution is improved, but magnetic field inhomogeneities worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemporal resolutionVSAvoidmagnetic field uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the imaging task into multiple independent acquisitions, each using a dedicated receiver coil for a specific anatomical region. This allows simultaneous imaging of multiple regions with high temporal resolution while avoiding magnetic field inhomogeneities, as each segmented acquisition uses a coil optimized for its specific FOV with appropriate magnetic field characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient, simultaneous imaging of the brain and spinal cord with improved signal-to-noise ratio and reduced sensitivity to motion and signal dropouts, allowing for high spatial resolution and temporal registration of images, suitable for fMRI and other MRI data types.

Implementation Method 1

a radio-frequency (RF) system configured to send and receive RF energy with respect to the patient to acquire MRI data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio-frequency energy transmission and reception: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a gradient system configured to apply magnetic gradients to the static magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic gradient application: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

a magnet configured to maintain a static magnetic field about a bore configured to receive a patient

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStatic magnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentUS12540993B2Systems and methods for multi-field-of-view imaging

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

AI summary

Systems and methods for producing an image of a subject with a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The method includes acquiring first MRI data from the subject using a first coil having a first field of view (FOV), simultaneously with or sequentially with acquiring the first MRI data, acquiring second MRI data from the subject using a second coil having a second FOV that is non-overlapping with the first FOV, and reconstructing images of the subject from the first MRI data and the second MRI data.